Who holds the key to F1's 2018 driver market?

Hamilton and the two Red Bull drivers have contracts for 2018 - but what's happening with the second Mercedes seat, or at Ferrari, or with Alonso? The fate of one driver could determine what happens to many others

There is no such thing as a sure thing in Formula 1. You can only play the percentages. Particularly when it comes to the driver market. Even solid contracts can be broken, if the will is there. Just ask Mercedes and Nico Rosberg.

Basing your career progression on random sequences of events outside of your control is anathema to most in a world where science and logic rule. But even an environment that tries to control events to the nth degree still gets turned upside down by changes of heart, an unexpected triumph of emotion over rationality, or plain old dumb luck.